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Giants' Upset Draws Record 97.5 Million Viewers

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The Associated Press

Published: February 5, 2008

NEW YORK - The New York Giants' thrilling win over New England was the most-watched Super Bowl ever, with 97.5 million viewers, a total that is second only to the "M*A*S*H" finale audience, Nielsen Media Research said Monday.

The game eclipsed the previous Super Bowl record of 94.08 million, set when Dallas defeated Pittsburgh in 1996. The final "M*A*S*H" episode, which drew 106 million viewers in 1983, is the only other show in American broadcast history watched by more people.

Sunday's game had almost all the ingredients Fox could have hoped for: a tight contest with an exciting finish involving a team that was attempting to make history as the NFL's first unbeaten team since 1972.

But the Giants ended New England's bid for perfection, 17-14. Throughout the game, the teams were never separated by more than a touchdown.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning also won bragging rights over his brother: Last year's win by Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts was seen by 93.2 million people, now the third most popular Super Bowl.

An eye-popping 81 percent of all TV sets on in the Boston area Sunday were tuned in to the game. In New York, the audience share was 67 percent.

The audience peaked between 9:30 and 10 p.m. ET - the fourth quarter - with 105.7 million people watching, Nielsen said.

There were signs even before gametime that Fox could be headed for a record. The opportunity for a team to make history with football's first 19-0 record was a powerful draw. The Giants and Patriots also had a tight contest in late December that drew strong ratings.

The Giants' underdog run had also captivated the nation's largest media market, making up for the only potential weakness in the event as a drawing card: the lack of geographical diversity in the competing teams.

The Giants-Patriots game's actual rating (43.3 rating, 65 share) was the highest for any Super Bowl since 1997. That means 43 percent of the nation's TV sets were tuned in to the game, and 65 percent of the TV sets that were turned on were watching football.

Bush Calls Giants To Offer Congratulations

WASHINGTON - President Bush, who stayed up past his normal bedtime to watch the end of a stirring Super Bowl, called members of the Giants organization on Monday to offer his congratulations.

In separate, brief phone calls, Bush chatted with Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning.

The last exciting moments of the Giants' 17-14 victory kept Bush, a sports fan, tuned in until the end. The game finished just after 10 p.m., which is later than Bush normally stays up.

Giants Will Celebrate Win In New York, N.J.

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey won't be left out of the Giants' Super Bowl celebration.

The team will celebrate at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford at 2:30 p.m. today, following an 11 a.m. ticker-tape parade in New York City.

John Samerjan, spokesman for the New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority, said the event will feature players, coaches and officials.

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